The NYPD Sergeants’ Union is throwing its support behind Ethiopia-born Mazi Pilip for the Congressional seat in the race against former Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi.
The seat was left vacant by George Santos, who was ousted from Congress.
The 13,000-member Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) officially endorsed Pilip on Sunday, January 28th, a little over two weeks before the special election scheduled for February 13th to represent New York’s 3rd congressional district.
SBA President Vincent Vallelong expressed strong support for Pilip, citing her steadfast commitment to law enforcement and public safety.
“Whether it has been her support for funding more police, her opposition to cashless bail for dangerous criminals, or her efforts to address the migrant crisis, Mazi Pilip has been unwavering in her support for law enforcement and keeping New Yorkers safe,” Vallelong stated.
During the endorsement announcement, the union president also criticized Suozzi.
“Unlike her opponent, Mazi Pilip will not regularly vote with and beg for honorary membership in the ‘Squad’ of U.S. Representatives working to vilify and defund police,” Vallelong noted.
He added, “We can trust her to stand up to these extremists in Congress who are trying to turn the world upside down by defunding police and discouraging people from pursuing careers in the noble profession of law enforcement.”
Suozzi had represented the district, which encompasses parts of eastern Queens and Nassau County, for six years before resigning in 2022 to embark on an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.
The former congressman spoke at a restaurant on Sunday and said, “This is a very important race, and people from all over the country will be watching it closely. If I win this race, people will wonder what happened!”
Suozzi also clarified that he would not seek President Joe Biden’s endorsement for the seat.
He said, “This is very much a local race. This is me versus Mazi Pilip. And as far as the other statewide and national figures, that’s not what this race is about.”
Pilip, currently serving as a Nassau County legislator, has a diverse background, including her service as a former Israeli paratrooper and her Ethiopian heritage. She secured her current legislative seat in 2021, outperforming a four-term incumbent Democrat by a margin of seven percentage points.
The endorsement by the SBA adds to a growing list of support Pilip has received from various law enforcement groups, including the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, Nassau County Detectives Association, Nassau County Sheriff’s-Corrections Officers Benevolent Association, and the Superior Officers Association of Nassau County.
Recent polls, such as the Emerson College/PIX11 survey, indicate a closely contested race, with 45% of registered voters favoring Suozzi and 42% supporting Pilip.
